The Community Children’s Nursing Team provide generic community nursing as well as Paediatric Epilepsy Nurse Specialty service, for children in the North Devon area (and North Cornwall*). Each community children’s nurse covers a specific geographical area; however, they cross cover according to patient and service needs and priorities. The team works Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 but will also work flexibly around these times where possible to ensure the health needs of the child/young person are met.
* Where C&YP are under the care of NDDH Paediatrician and/or registered with a North Devon GP
What support is offered?
The community children’s nursing team work with and in partnership with other healthcare professionals and non-NHS agencies to provide care for children and Young People in the community. The aim of the team is to:
- Prevent hospital admissions
- Reduce length of stay in hospital
- Ensure appropriate onward referral where required to other C&YP services
Community Children’s Nurses will accept referral for the following
Acute Nursing Care
Asthma care and other respiratory conditions
Blood Tests
Drug Administration – IV Antibiotics, injectable medications
Eczema and other skin disorders
Gastrostomy or Nasogastric Tube care/advice
Oxygen Therapy
Overnight Oximetry/Capnography studies
Teaching and training for parents/carers i.e. Adrenaline Auto Injector Pens (Epi-Pen, Emerade)
Wound care- post-op wound care, Perianal Abscess, Burns/scalds
Chronic Nursing Care
Paediatric Epilepsy Nursing
Cardiac
Crohn’s disease or other Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) and Nephrotic
syndrome
The above list is not exhaustive
Depending on the health needs of the child/young person other professionals and agencies might be involved in their care including:
- Hospital based children’s services
- Neonatal Outreach Nurses
- Health visitors and school nurses
- Children and Family Health Devon
- Paediatric Bladder and Bowel Service
How do I access this service?
Children are referred by other healthcare professionals including GP’s, Consultants, Emergency Department. Your child will not be referred without your consent.
Community Children’s Nursing
The Ladywell Unit Level 0
North Devon District Hospital NHS Trust
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
EX31 4JB
Telephone: 01271 322771
